Maddie cops to arrest burglar suspects

BRITISH police are set to arrest three burglars in their search for missing Maddie McCann.

Published 13th January 2014

QUESTION: Police want to quiz suspects as part of the Madeleine McCann investigation [PA]

They want to question the criminals who were operating in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz where Madeleine disappeared.

British police have written to the Portuguese police for help with their enquiry.

A spokesman for Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry told The Daily Mirror: "The letter is a significant development. "It is necessary for British police to request the Portuguese authorities allow them to operate on their turf.

"It means they have the intention of arresting and interviewing X, Y or Z. We don't know who they have their sights on but it's likely it is the burglars.

"Whether the Portuguese will co-operate remains to be seen. It is a very sensitive issue with differences they have had.

PARENTS: Kate and Gerry McCann's representatives confirmed their knowledge of the letter [GETTY]

"Police want to be given a chance to arrest key suspects. It doesn't prove they have Madeleine but it will rule them in or out of the investigation and that is important.

"Kate and Gerry don't want to build up their hopes too high but they realise it could be a significant new lead."

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Scotland Yard confirmed the letter was sent last week but would not confirm any more details.

Madeleine, who was then nearly four, disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3 2007 as her parents dined at a nearby restaurant with friends.

British detectives launched a fresh investigation into the youngster's disappearance in July last year and made renewed appeals on television in the UK, the Netherlands and Germany.

After shelving their inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance in 2008, Portuguese authorities said last October that a review had uncovered enough new information to justify reopening it.

In a Christmas message, Mrs McCann said she and her husband were relieved and buoyed by last year's developments, and urged people to "spare a thought and prayer" for families similar to hers.

In her message, Mrs McCann said: "The Metropolitan Police review becoming an investigation and, more recently, the reopening of the case in Portugal.

"We are incredibly relieved and buoyed by these developments and continue to hope for further collaboration in the near future with the possibility of a JIT (Joint Investigation Team) between Portugal and the UK to enhance the search for our dear daughter."